Sunderland Women maintained their place in second in the Barclays Women’s Championship table with a win over Reading Women at Eppleton.
Ellen Jones gave the Lasses the lead in the 44th minute to go into half-time 1-0 up.
Liz Ejupi and Katie Kitching scored in the 51st and 62nd minute respectively, with Reading’s Freya Godfrey grabbing a goal back 74 minutes in.
Mel Reay’s side, unchanged from last week’s draw over Birmingham, almost took an early lead, with Ejupi getting in behind and striking towards goal, forcing a strong hand from Emily Orman.
The Royals grew into the half, enjoying a lot of the possession, with their first big opportunity coming 16 minutes in as Lauren Wade’s shot was expertly blocked by Amy Goddard.
Sanne Troelsgaard rifled a long-range effort off the post later in the half, also striking the crossbar minutes later.
The Black Cats took the lead on the 44-minute mark with a corner dropping to Jones who made no mistake and volleyed her shot into the bottom corner for her first goal in Red & White.
Five minutes after the second half began, Sunderland scored from a corner again – this time the ball dropped to Ejupi who reacted well to tap home the second of the game.
Continuing their impressive second-half pursuit, Kitching made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute, breaking from a Reading corner. The midfielder picked the ball up in the Sunderland half, driving down the right and into the away box before smashing her effort into the bottom corner.
Gregory pulled one goal back for the visitors, but with the Lasses managing the game well after the goal, the three points stayed on Wearside.
Sunderland now have one game before the international break as we make the long trip to face Lewes next weekend.
SAFC Women: Moan, Brown, Goddard, Westrup ©, Griffiths, Fenton, Kitching (McInnes 88’), Dear (Rouse 78’), McAteer (Watson 70’), Jones (Ede 70’), Ejupi (Scarr 88’).
Subs not used: Borthwick, Beer, McCatty.